Unlock the Healing Power of Your Gut: The Perfect Diet for Palmoplantar Pustulosis Recovery

I was shocked when I learned I had Palmoplantar Pustulosis. I could not accept a chronic skin condition that left me disabled. I was determined to find myself a cure.

I began to do a lot more research on nutrition and how you can naturally repair and boost a dysfunctional immune system. I found that improving your health starts with gut health. Your gut health is important for your whole body. It's also where your immune system absorbs most of its vitamins and minerals. You need to consume a diet rich in nutrients that your cells require and eliminate the foods that cause inflammation and have no nutritional value.

In my book I go into greater detail about this topic. 

What does it mean to heal your gut?

The condition of your gut (gastrointestinal tract) is most important. Scientists recently discovered that our gut is important to our overall health. The microbiomes, or bacteria that live in our guts, also contain over 100 more genes than the genetic makeup of human cells. Our bodies provide a home for bacteria. They only use us to serve their own ends and care about their own wellbeing. These bacteria produce molecules that have a significant impact on our health. The gut flora affects the immune system's quality and the amount of vitamins and minerals that the cells can absorb. Gut flora tells the immune cells which microbiomes to ignore and which to attack. The intestines also have a large nerve system (the central vagus nerve)that has as many cells as the spine cord. The central vagus nervous system wanders up from the intestine to connect with the brain.

Most people don't think about the consequences of what they eat and drink. No matter whether it's alcohol, vitamins, or drugs, the process is the same. It is a fact that all food and drink must go through a complex metabolic process. All of the food we eat is broken down into small components, which are then integrated with hormones and bacteria at a cellular level. Nothing goes unnoticed. We can achieve a healthy gut bacteria by changing our diet and using pre- and/or probiotics. By doing so you will most likely heal you Palmoplantar Pustulosis.

Hippocrates, the father of medicine said: "Let your food be your medicine and your medicine be food." Our gut bacteria determines our health.​
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What is the cause of a weakened gut flora?

1. A diet that is dominated by junk food, processed foods, and sugar. These diets lack nutrients and encourage the growth of the wrong bacteria and yeast in the gut.
2. Overuse of antibiotics
3. Infections, and imbalances in the gut. They include yeast overgrowth and parasites, as well as small intestinal bacteria (SIBO).
4. Inadequate digestive enzymes. Stress, acid blocking medications and zinc deficiency can all lead to an insufficient digestive enzyme function.
5.  Stress. Chronic stress can alter your gut nervous system and cause a leaky intestine. It also changes the normal bacteria that live in the gut.

What should you eat, then?

 To be honest, it's not difficult or complicated at all! Eat the same foods that your grandparents ate when they were younger (or their parents depending on your age).

Eating locally grown and traditional foods is not only good for our health, but it also has a deep connection to our evolutionary history. Our ancestors ate local foods and varied their diet according to season and geographical location. They had a close relationship with their land and were in tune with it.

Our bodies have evolved to work optimally with the food that was available locally. Humans developed genetic adaptations over time to the food they ate. This allowed them to digest these foods and metabolize them efficiently. We eat foods that are nutritionally and genetically suited to us when we eat local and traditional.

In addition, many traditional foods are prepared with traditional methods which enhance their nutritional value. Fermenting vegetables, for example, not only extends their shelf-life but also promotes gut health by creating beneficial bacteria. Cooking methods that are traditional preserve nutrients and make food more digestible. Slow-cooking makes meat easier to digest, and releases important nutrients such as collagen and minerals.

Eating locally and in a traditional way supports the local food system and environment. We reduce our carbon footprint by eating locally produced foods and we support sustainable farming methods. This also helps preserve the regional food diversity as well as cultural heritage.

These are some of the meals I ate to help me heal:

Even if you now understand what needs to be done to heal from PPP, The question is how you do it? It might seem overwhelming at first to eliminate certain foods you are used to. As what do you eat instead of bread? What if you are craving sugar? What if you feel there's no time to cook? 
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The gut is the largest immune center in our body. It's only a question of time before you get sick if your gut is out of balance. Many factors are involved in the development of an autoimmune disorder.

Breakfast:
Avocado, spinach, tomatoes and avocado in an omelette
Greek yogurt with berries, nuts and a few handfuls of nutmeg
Sugar and gluten-free granola with oat milk, banana slices.

Lunch:
Grilled Chicken with Roasted Vegetables (Broccoli, Carrots and Sweet Potato)
Salad with mixed leaves, shrimps, cucumber, leek, eggs and avocado
Lentil Soup with Gluten-Free Bread

Dinner:
Grilled Salmon with Roasted Asparagus and Quinoa
Grass-fed burgers with sweet potato fries, a salad and a side of fries
Baked chicken thighs topped with wild rice and roasted Brussels sprouts

Snacks:
Sliced apple with almond Butter
Carrots with hummus
Hard-boiled Eggs

This is only a small example of all the meals you can prepare. Focus on nourishing, whole foods that are nutrient dense to nourish your body. Stay away from gluten, sugar and dairy during your healing process.

Stress management is another important part of healing an autoimmune disease such as PPP. Chronic stress can affect your gut nervous system, which in turn contributes to leaky gut. Mindfulness meditation such as affirmation adudio and gentle yoga have helped me manage stress and to feel more centered. It can be beneficial to take a few deep breathes during the day.

I took vitamin supplements in addition to lifestyle and dietary changes to improve my gut health. I used a probiotic of high quality, digestive enzymes and a supplement that contained glutamine and other nutrients to support gut lining repairs.

You will need to wait a while to see the results of healing PPP, or any other autoimmune disease. It took me 3 months to notice a noticeable improvement in my symptoms. The effort was well worth it. Today, 12 years symptom free from Palmoplantar Pustulosis, I can say with confidence that I have recovered from PPP and I'am able to enjoy my life free of the pain and discomfort that I experienced in the past.

Healing from PPP, or any other autoimmune condition, requires a holistic treatment that focuses on the root causes. It is important to focus on gut health by eating whole foods, managing stress and adding vitamin supplements. Effort and time will be required, but it will pay off in a higher quality of life as well as the ability to do the things you love.

All the best,
​Åsa Kärrman